Tim Silverwood

Please continue to donate! Yes I have reached my initial goal of $2K but I still have a loooooong way to go. I need to fundraise over $10K in total so please please please keep donating! My position on the research voyage is costing me US$10K and I need flights, equipment and ongoing production costs. Thanks for the support!

In July 2011, Tim Silverwood will embark on a voyage sailing across the Pacific Ocean from Honolulu to Vancouver to undertake important research into plastics in the North Pacific Gyre (Great Pacific Garbage Patch [GPGP]). The findings will shed light on the global distribution and biological consequences of marine debris.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch has been compared to a 'floating island of trash', it is spread over an area twice the size of France in the North Pacific Ocean. Four oceanic currents converge here, causing floating plastic debris from Asia, North America and the South Pacific to accumulate in a swirling vortex that's rumoured to be doubling in size every ten years. The islands of Hawaii lie in the centre of the Gyre and suffer from massive levels of plastic pollution.

Marine debris is one of the world’s five major marine pollutants and it has been identified as an issue of growing concern in a number of studies and international conferences.  Approximately 80% of marine debris is initially discarded on land and is blown, rolled or washed out to sea via our beaches, rivers, streams and storm water drains. 

Plastic is the most prevalent type of debris found on beaches world wide.  Plastic is cheap, it does not degrade easily and can float great distances at sea.  Plastic particles in our oceans are killing approximately 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals each year.  Entanglement and ingestion of plastic are the two most common impacts on our marine life. Tiny plastic fragments rich in toxic chemicals are being consumed by fish stocks and are entering the human food chain, alarming scientists across the world.

Tim will create a documentary on the experience which will contribute invaluably to raising global awareness of this issue. The film will address:

The causes, consequences and extent of marine debris in the world’s oceans; the preparation of the voyage; the trials of sailing across the pacific (Tim is not a sailor...yet); conducting the research in the GPGP; meeting the people and organisations leading global research; visiting sites in Hawaii, Canada, California and Australia where marine debris is harming marine life and the challenges/ successes of educating the public on my return.

Background

In 2009 Tim began thinking about proactive ways in which the public could contribute to reducing the amount of waste entering the oceans. After collaborating with a group of surfers, beach-lovers and a marine biologist, the non-profit organisation' Take 3 - A Clean Beach Initiative' was born.  

The ‘Take 3’ message is simple: take 3 pieces of rubbish when you leave the beach and you have made a difference. By actively reducing the amount of marine debris in our waterways, the impacts of marine debris on innocent organisms and ecosystems can be reduced. 'Take 3’ empowers the general community to be proactive in an achievable way on the issue of marine debris, whilst reminding them to be responsible for the thoughtful disposal of their own rubbish. It will act as a portal to educate the wider community about marine debris and ongoing research/ findings about the harmful effects of plastics in the ocean.

Tim Silverwood is developing a reputation as an active campaigner on key environmental issues. Tim's passion for raising awareness of environmental issues through photography and film is witnessed in his previous documentaries filmed in India, Australia and Thailand.

The academic credibility of this project is supported by tertiary institutions and environmental organisations across Australia and will receive widespread media attention as the journey nears.

Your support in funding this project will assist Tim immensely with the production of the film, purchase of critical equipment, technical assistance and distribution of the film. It is envisaged the film will be televised, packaged for sale and made available to schools across Australia and the world to teach our youth of this growing environmental catastrophe.

Please donate today to make this film the most powerful awareness tool it can be.